Long life packaging of electrolytic recording paper and the like

ABSTRACT

The impregnants for electrolytic recording paper are divided into two or more parts thereby separating parts which may react with time, and/or be oxidized by atmosphere or light from those used to cause other reactions when in contact with metallic substances, which may ionize in an electrolyte, resulting in a long life package. Not only may there be electrolysis, but there may also be reactions with the paper or extraneous ingredients in the paper. Paper and electrolyte packaged in this manner will not only keep for long periods but will also withstand very severe environmental conditions without change or deterioration. Such packaging is of a special utility in military applications.

Unit ed States Patent [72] Inventor [2 l Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee J. Raymond Popkin-Clurman Brookville, N.Y.

Apr. 17, 1968 Jan. 19, 1971 International Scanatron Systems Corp. Wyandanch, L. 1., NY.

a corporation of New York [54] LONG LIFE PACKAGING 0F ELECTROLYTIC RECORDING PAPER AND THE LIKE 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[51] Int. Cl 865d 77/08; B41 in 5/20; G031; 5/00 [50] Field ofSearch 206/47A,

47, 47Misc, 46Roll, 46Yam, 52(Cusory); 3fl6/74E,"

1(Cursory); 204/2(Cursory) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,857,126 5/1932 Doring et al. 346/74(E)X 2,ll1,776 3/1938 Hogan 346/] 2,339,267 l/1944 Hogan 204/2 2,358,839 9/1944 Wagner.... 204/2 3, l 20,662 2/1964 Dalton 346/74(E) 3,149,943 9/1964 Amador 206/47(A)X 3,250,384 5/1966 Perino 206/47(A) 3,392,826 7/ l 968 Powlan 206/47(A) 3,393,796 7/1968 Clarke 206/47(A) FOREIGN PATENTS 686,449 l/l953 Great Britain. 206/632 Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Attorney-Alfred W. Barber ABSTRACT: The impregnants for electrolytic recording paper are divided into two or more parts thereby separating parts which may react with time, and/or be oxidized by atmosphere or light from those used to cause other reactions when in contact with metallic substances, which may ionize in an electrolyte, resulting in a long life package. Not only may there be electrolysis, but there may also be reactions with the paper or extraneous ingredients in the paper. Paper and electrolyte packaged in this manner will not only keep for long periods but will also withstand very severe environmental conditions without change or deterioration. Such packaging is of a special utility in military applications.

LONG LIFE PACKAGING OF ELECTROLYTIC RECORDING PAPER AND'TIIE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Description of Prior Art described in US. Pats. Nos. 2,339,267 and 2,358,839.

The above-described handling of electrolytic recording paper, however, has serious limitations, Paper stored in a highly moist condition after impregnation has a limited shelf or storage life. After a period of time, generally a few months at room temperature, the impregnating chemicals interact as well as react with impurities in the paper and the paper becomes discolored. Under severe environmental conditions the useful life of impregnated paper is greatly shortened.

SUMMARY It has been found, in accordance with the present invention, that by separating the electrolyte into two portions or in some cases depending on the formulation by separating the electrolyte entirely from the paper, that the reactive components can be kept apart, prolonging the storage or shelf life of the paper and electrolyte. An economical and convenient method of carrying this out is to impregnate the paper with one portion of the electrolyte, for example, the salts and pH adjusting chemicals, and to store the other part, for example, the marking compound and stabilizing chemicals in a separate compartment. Prior to use of the paper, the seal between the two compartments is broken and the impregnation of the paper is completed. The electrolyte in the second compartment is measured to be just sufficient to bring the impregnated paper to optimum moisture content for best marking results.

The moisture content of the paper for storage may be reduced to a low value to further promote stability but should not be reduced so far as to render the paper brittle or easily damaged.

Another way of greatly increasing the useful life of electrolytic recording paper is to impregnate the paper completely, drive off substantially all the moisture for storage purposes and prior to marking, to restore the optimum water content by merely putting back the proper amount of water.

Brief Description of the Drawing FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of one form of dual package for electrolytic recording paper and electrolyte in accordance with one form of the present invention. r

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of a form of core for the paper roll useful in connection with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of a second form of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of a second form of closure which may be employed as sealing means between the'two parts of the package which provides a third enclosure useful for enclosing anindicator which shows whether or not there has been leakage between the main packages.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a paper roll suitable for use in accordance with the. present invention wherein the paper roll is coreless.

FIG. 1 shows a roll of electrolytic recording paper or the like 1 wound on a suitablecore 2 (although coreless paper rolls may also be used as shown in FIG. 5) and enclosed in a first portion 3 of a two-part sealed package. The second part of the package 6 contains an electrolytic solution 7, an end seal 9 and a clamp 4-5 effectively separating the two portions or parts of the package and preventing electrolyte 7 from reaching paper 1 until clamp 4-5 is removed.

It has been found effective in accordance with the present invention to impregnate the paper I with salts such as sodium or potassium nitrate, an antifringing agent suchas sodium phosphate, oxalic acid to provide a pH adjustment of the order of 3 to 5 to permit a substantial mark and to permit sustained stability and enough water to provide a moisture content of I to 2 percent. The electrolyte 7 in the second part of the package contains the marking compounds such as pyrocatechin, a stabilizer such as thiourea, and an optional wetting agent to promote diffusion of the electrolyte when it comes in contact with the paper and sufficient water to produce optimum moisture content of the impregnated paper when the marking compound plus stabilizer (such as thiourea is released into the paper-containing part of the package and when the electrolyte has been absorbed by the paper. The exact amount will depend on the characteristics of the paper and the desired final moisture content.

By thus separating certain ingredients and, in particular, by keeping the marking compounds separated from the moist paper it has been found that electrolytic paper can be stored for prolonged periods without discoloration and, in particular, that environmental conditions such as elevated temperatures can also be tolerated without color change of the stored paper or deterioration or chemical reaction of the ingredients of the electrolyte and paper impurity reactions. During a period prior to use, the clamp 4-5 may be removed and electrolyte 7 allowed to penetrate the paper roll 1. As soon as this penetration is complete, the package may be opened and the paper placed in the facsimile recorder or similar marking device ready for use.

Another method of greatly prolonging the useful life of electrolytic-recording paper is to impregnate the paper with all of the various marking compounds and then to remove the water content as by vacuum drying whereupon the paper is sealed and may be stored for long periods. The second part of FIG. 3 is a modified form of two-part package in which a large outer package 10 sealed along one end at 11 contains the paper roll 1-2 treated as described above and a second package 13 containing the electrolyte 14 as described above and sealed along one end at 15. When the time comes to complete the impregnation of the paper, the second package 13 is ruptured allowing the electrolyte 14 to complete the impregnation whereupon the paper is ready for use and the outer package 10 may be opened.

FIG. 4 shows a modified form of package in which the neck 16-26 from one part of the package to the other is closed by a first clamp 17-18-19-20 and a second clamp 22-23-24-25 or a dual clamp provided by connecting the two as at 27 leaving a small pocket 21 therebetween. This third pocket may contain an indicator such as litmus compounds which changes color when in contact with the electrolyte. Thus, if any of the electrolyte leaks past one of the clamps, the indicator will change color showing that this leakage has taken place. This provision is a means for showing the condition inside the two parts of the package.

FIG. 5 shows a paper roll 1 produced to be coreless, that is the inner opening 28 of the roll is mainly self-supporting. However end plugs 29 and 30 may be provided for mounting the paper roll in the recording machine. Where such end plugs are used, they are provided with openings 31 and 32 to permit electrolyte to pass into the inside of the roll to speed impregnation.

While only a few forms of the present invention have been shown and described, many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. In an electrolytic recording paper package, the combination of:

a two part package;

a roll of paper in one of said parts;

an electrolyte in the second of said parts; and

wherein said roll of paper is impregnated with a solution comprising a predetermined selection from the ingredients making up an electrolytic marking solution exclusive of marking compounds and a solution of the balance of the ingredients of said solution comprising said electrolyte in the second of said parts. a

2. An electrolytic recording paper package as set forth in claim 1; and including an intermediate third part between said two parts containing an indicator for indicating leakage of electrolyte from said second part.

3. An electrolytic recording paper package as set forth in claim 2; and including a first clamp between said intermediate part and said one of said parts and a second clamp between said intermediate part and said second of said parts:

4. An electrolytic recording paper package as set forth in claim 2; and including a dual clamp for sealing an area of said package between said intermediate part and said one of said parts and said intermediate part and said second of said parts.

5. In an electrolytic recording paper package, the combination of:

a two part package;

means for sealing one of said parts from the other; a roll of recording paper impregnated with an electrolytic composition which is substantially free from marking compound contained in one of said parts; and

an electrolyte including a marking compound along with a,

predetermined amount of water for completing the im- 5 pregnation of said paper and for bringing said paper to a predetermined moisture content in combination with said impregnation of said paper contained in the other of said parts. 6. ln an electrolytic recording paper package the combination of:

a two part package; means for sealing one of said parts from the other; a recording paper roll impregnated with a salt chosen from the l group comprising sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate, sodium phosphate, and oxalic acid sufficient to provide pH of the order of 3 to 5 and enough water to provide a predetermined moisture content contained in one of said parts; and an electrolyte comprising a marking compound, a stabilizer, a wetting agent and sufficient water to provide a v predetermined liquid content to said electrolytic recording paper in combination with said predetermined moisture content contained in the second of said parts. 

1. In an electrolytic recording paper package, the combination of: a two part package; a roll of paper in one of said parts; an electrolyte in the second of said parts; and wherein said roll of paper is impregnated with a solution comprising a predetermined selection from the ingredients making up an electrolytic marking solution exclusive of marking compounds and a solution of the balance of the ingredients of said solution comprising said electrolyte in the second of said parts.
 2. An electrolytic recording paper package as set forth in claim 1; and including an intermediate third part between said two parts containing an indicator for indicating leakage of electrolyte from said second part.
 3. An electrolytic recording paper package as set forth in claim 2; and including a first clamp between said intermediate part and said one of said parts and a second clamp between said intermediate part and said second of said parts.
 4. An electrolytic recording paper package as set forth in claim 2; and including a dual clamp for sealing an area of said package between said intermediate part and said one of said parts and said intermediate part and said second of said parts.
 5. In an electrolytic recording paper package, the combination of: a two part package; means for sealing one of said parts from the other; a roll of recording paper impregnated with an electrolytic composition which is substantially free from marking compound contained in one of said parts; and an electrolyte including a marking compound along with a predetermined amount of water for completing the impregnation of said paper and for bringing said paper to a predetermined moisture content in combination with said impregnation of said paper contained in the other of said parts.
 6. In an electrolytic recording paper package the combination of: a two part package; means for sealing one of said parts from the other; a recording paper roll impregnated with a salt chosen from the group comprising sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate, sodium phosphate, and oxalic acid sufficient to provide pH of the order of 3 to 5 and enough water to provide a predetermined moisture content contained in one of said parts; and an electrolyte comprising a marking compound, a stabilizer, a wetting agent and sufficient water to provide a predetermined liquid content to said electrolytic recording paper in combination with said predetermined moisture content contained in the second of said parts. 